Preventive Intervention Research Projects and Related Study Publications

The Behavior-Image Model (BIM)
Werch, Chudley (In press). The Behavior-Image Model: A Paradigm for Integrating Prevention and Health Promotion in Brief Interventions. Health Education Research.

Sport Print
Werch, Chudley, Moore, Michele J., & DiClemente, Carlo C. (In press). Brief Image-based Health Behavior Messages for Adolescents and Their Parents. Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse.

Sport II
Werch, Chudley E., Moore, Michele J., DiClemente, Carlo C., Bledsoe, Rhonda, & Jobli, Edessa (2005). A Multi-Health Behavior Intervention Integrating Physical Activity and Substance Use Prevention for Adolescents. Prevention Science, 6(3), 213-226.

Sport I
Werch, Chudley E., Moore, Michele J., DiClemente, Carlo C., Owen, Deborah M., Jobli, Edessa, & Bledsoe, Rhonda (2003). A Sport-based Intervention for Preventing Alcohol Use and Promoting Physical Activity Among Adolescents. Journal of School Health, 73 (10), 380-388.

Avoiding Harm
Werch, Chudley E., Jobli, Edessa, Moore, Michele J., DiClemente, Carlo C., Dore, Heather, & Brown, C. Hendricks (2005). A Brief Experimental Alcohol Beverage-Tailored Program for Adolescents. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 66(2), 284-290.

Stars Plus
Werch, Chudley E., Moore, Michele J., DiClemente, Carlo C., Owen, Deborah M., Carlson, Joan M., & Jobli, Edessa (2005). Single vs. multiple drug prevention: Is more always better? A pilot study. Substance Use & Misuse, 40(8), 1085-1101.

Stars for Families
Werch, Chudley E., Owen, Deborah M., Carlson, Joan M., DiClemente, Carlo C., Edgemon, Patty, & Moore, Michele. (2003). One-year follow-up results of the STARS for Families alcohol prevention program. Health Education Research: Theory & Practice, 18 (1), 74-87.

Werch, Chudley E., Carlson, Joan M., Owen, Deborah M., DiClemente, Carlo C., & Carbonari, Joseph P. (2001). Effects of a stage-based alcohol preventive intervention for inner-city youth. Journal of Drug Education, 31 (2), 123-138.

Werch, Chudley E., Carlson, Joan M., Pappas, Deborah M., DiClemente, Carlo C., & Carbonari, Joseph P. (2000). Evaluation of a brief alcohol prevention program for urban school youth. American Journal of Health Behavior, 24 (2), 120-131.

Stars Intervention in a Sport Examination Setting
Werch, Chudley E., Carlson, Joan M., Pappas, Deborah M., Edgemon, Patricia, Watts, Graham, & DiClemente, Carlo C. (2000). Effects of a brief alcohol preventive intervention for youth attending school sports physical examinations. Substance Use & Misuse, 35 (3), 421- 432.

Early Stars Intervention Outcome Studies
Werch, Chudley E., Pappas, Deborah M., Carlson, Joan M., & DiClemente, Carlo C. (1999). Six-month outcomes of an alcohol prevention program for inner-city youth. American Journal of Health Promotion, 13 (4), 237-240.

Werch, Chudley E., Pappas, Deborah M., Carlson, Joan M., & DiClemente, Carlo C. (1998). Short and long-term effects of a pilot prevention program to reduce alcohol consumption. Substance Use & Misuse, 33 (11), 2303-2321.

Werch, Chudley E., Carlson, Joan M., Pappas, Deborah M., & DiClemente, Carlo (1996). Brief nurse consultations for preventing alcohol use among urban school youth. Journal of School Health, 66 (9), 335-338.

Werch, Chudley E., Anzalone, Debra M., Brokiewicz, Lynn M., Felker, Jennifer, Carlson, Joan M., & Castellon-Vogel, Eduardo A. (1996). An intervention for preventing alcohol use among inner-city middle school students. Archives of Family Medicine, 5 (3), 146-152.

College Tailored Social Norms (TSN) Intervention
Werch, Chudley E., Pappas, Deborah M., Carlson, Joan M., DiClemente, Carlo C., Chally, Pamela S., & Sinder, Jacqueline A. (2000). Results of a social norm intervention to prevent binge drinking among first year residential college students. Journal of American College Health, 49 (2), 85-92.

Summary of Sport Print Project
Title of the project: Sport Print
Time: Fall 2003 baseline data collection, and Spring 2004 posttests data collection.
Sample: 9th -11th graders from a suburban high school of the northeast Florida.
Total number of recruited students: 704
Recruitment rate: 66%
Total number of valid participants: 684
Demographic Characteristics: 48.2% from the 9th and 45.6% from the 11th grade; 56.0% Female; 49.6% white; mean age: 15.24 years; 12.7% in free lunch program; 38.7% had a family member with an alcohol or drug use problem; 60.3% fathers and 53.0% mothers drank at least a few times a year. 60.9% had some alcohol or drug education within the last year.
Study design: a randomized experimental design with two groups: students were stratified by grade level and randomly assigned to two groups.
1. The parent postcard: a series of three postcards encouraging parent-youth communication regarding fitness promotion and alcohol avoidance were mailed to the parents/guardians.
2. Adolescent flyer arm: a series of three flyers pairing commercial quality images of healthy and active youth with brief, fitness promotion and alcohol avoidance message.
Procedure: Baseline and four-month post-intervention data were collected. Questionnaire was administered to the students assembled by classrooms in the school auditorium.
Instrument: Youth Alcohol and Health Survey
Key findings see:
Werch, Chudley, Moore, Michele J., & DiClemente, Carlo C. (Under review). Brief Image- based Health Behavior Print Communications Targeting Adolescents and Parents.

Summary of Sport II Project
Title of the project: Sport II
Time: Fall 2002-Fall 2003
Sample: 9th and 11th graders from a suburban high school in northeast Florida
Total number of recruited students: 604 (335 ninth and 269 eleventh graders)
Demographic Characteristics: 56.0% Female; 51.0% white; mean age: 15.24 years; 12.7% in free lunch program; 38.7% had a family alcohol or drug use problem; 60.3% fathers drank, 53.0% mothers drank; 60.9% reported some alcohol or drug education within the last year.
Study design: a randomized controlled trial: participants were randomly assigned to either intervention or control group within grade level.
1. SPORT consultation: an in-person health behavior screen (seven-item Health and Fitness Screen) was administered before the fitness consultation; a one-on-one consultation; a take-home fitness prescription; and a mailed-to-home flyer reinforcing key content provided during the consultation.
2. a minimal intervention control: consisted two commercially prepared generic alcohol prevention and health promotion print materials which were administered at the same time that consultation was given to those in the intervention group.
Procedure: Baseline, 3-month, and 12-month post-intervention data were collected.
Instrument: Youth Alcohol and Health Survey
Key findings see:
Werch, Chudley E., Moore, Michele J., DiClemente, Carlo C., Bledsoe, Rhonda, & Jobli, Edessa (2005). A Multi-Health Behavior Intervention Integrating Physical activity and Substance Use Prevention for Adolescents. Prevention Science, 6(3), 213-226.

Summary of Sport I Project Title of the project: Sport I Time: Fall 2001-Spring 2002 Sample: 8th graders from an inner city middle school, a suburban middle school, and a rural junior high school in the northeast Florida. Total number of recruited students: 465 Total number of valid participants: 454 (183 from inner city middle school; 110 from suburban middle school; and 161 from rural junior high school). Demographic Characteristics: 50.7% white; 62.1% female; a mean age: 13.2 years; 29.2% in a free or reduced-cost lunch program; 58.4% participated in a sport for their school the past year. Study design: a randomized experimental design: students were randomly assigned within schools to three groups. 1. a brief sport consultation (Sport): designed to address alcohol use, sport, physical activity and exercise, nutrition, and healthy sleep habits within the context of a sport/physical activity program. 2. a sport consultation plus an alcohol consultation (Sport Plus): a sport consultation followed by an alcohol preventive consultation. 3. a sport consultation plus an alcohol consultation plus a set of mailed parent print materials (Sport Plus Parent): sport consultation followed by the alcohol preventive consultation and five parental SPORT cards Procedure: Baseline and 3-month post-intervention data were collected. Instrument: Youth Alcohol and Health Survey collecting data on alcohol and drug consumption, risk and protective factors associated with alcohol use, and other health behaviors. Key findings see: Werch, Chudley E., Moore, Michele J., DiClemente, Carlo C., Owen, Deborah M., Jobli, Edessa, & Bledsoe, Rhonda (2003). A Sport-based Intervention for Preventing Alcohol Use and Promoting Physical Activity Among Adolescents. Journal of School Health, 73(10), 380-388.

Summary of Avoiding Harm Project Title of the project: Avoiding Harm Time: Fall 2002 Sample: 11th and 12th graders from a suburban high school in northeast Florida Total number of recruited students: 326 Recruitment rate: 73.4% Total number of valid participants: 232 (who used alcohol in the last year) Demographic Characteristics: 67.7% 12th and 30.6% 11th graders; 58.4% Female; 53.0% white; mean age: 17.01 years; 11.7% in free lunch program; 50.9% had a family alcohol or drug use problem; 81.9% fathers, 58.6% mothers, and 58.2% siblings drank. 60.3% drank some type of alcohol in the last 30 days. Study design: randomized experimental design with two groups: 232 at-risk adolescents were randomly assigned to either the experimental intervention or control group. 1. an intervention group: a self-administered five-item screening instrument; a brief one-on-one alcohol risk reduction consultation; and a tip sheet reinforcing key messages from the consultation. 2. a minimal intervention control: participants in this group were mailed a commercially prepared generic alcohol prevention brochure at the same time that the tip sheet was sent to those in the intervention group. Procedure: Baseline, 1-month, 3-month, and 18-month post-intervention data were collected. Eight-seven percent of participants were successfully followed up at 4 months post-intervention Instrument: 75-item High Potency Alcohol Beverage Youth Survey (HPAB) Key findings see: Werch, Chudley E., Jobli, Edessa, Moore, Michele J., DiClemente, Carlo C., Dore, Heather, & Brown, C. Hendricks (2005). A Brief Experimental Alcohol Beverage-Tailored Program for Adolescents. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 66(2), 284-290.

Summary of Stars Plus Project Title of the project: Stars Plus Time: Fall 2000 - Spring 2001 Sample: 8th graders from an inner city middle school and a rural junior high school Total number of recruited students: 448 (216 from inner city middle school and 232 from a rural junior high school). Recruitment rate: 71.6% Demographic Characteristics: 52.0% Female; 59.4% white; mean age: 13.4 years; 29.8% in free/reduced price lunch program; 40.5% had a family member with an alcohol or drug use problem. 44.4% had not received any alcohol or drug education in the last year. Study design: randomized experimental design with three groups: 1. an alcohol only intervention (STARS for Families): a brief one-on-one health consultation about why and how the child should avoid alcohol, and a series of eight prevention postcards mailed to parents/guardians providing key facts on what to say to their children about avoiding alcohol; 2. a multiple drug intervention (STARS Plus): adapted version of STARS for Families with the messages addressed cigarettes, marijuana, and other drugs use in addition to alcohol use; 3. a parent materials only: the mailed postcards were identical in number and format as those sent to the parents/guardians of youth receiving the STARS for Families intervention. Procedure: Baseline and 3-month post-intervention data were collected. Questionnaire was administered in classrooms at the targeted schools. Posttests were collected using the procedures and measures identical to those in the baseline data collection. Instrument: Youth Alcohol and Health Survey Key findings see: Werch, Chudley E., Moore, Michele J., DiClemente, Carlo C., Owen, Deborah M., Carlson, Joan M., & Jobli, Edessa (2005). Single vs. multiple drug prevention: Is more always better? A pilot study. Substance Use & Misuse, 40(8), 1085-1101.

Summary of Stars for Families Project Title of the project: Stars for Families Time: Fall 1996-Spring 1998 Sample: 6th graders from two inner city middle schools of Jacksonville, Florida. Total number of recruited students: 660 (388 from a magnet school, 272 from an inner-city neighborhood school) Recruitment rate: 87% Total number of valid participants: 650 Demographic Characteristics: 50.0% Male; 85.0% African American; mean age: 12.08 years; 78.0% in free lunch program; 32.0% had a family member with an alcohol or drug use problem; and 65% not having any alcohol or drug education during the last year. Study design: randomized experimental design with two groups: students were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group: 1. Intervention (STARS for Families): a two-year multi-component intervention: during the first year students received a brief one-on-one health consultation provided by a trained nurse (fall semester), and a series of up to 10 prevention postcards mailed to parents/guardians (Spring semester). During the second year, students received a follow up nurse consultation (Fall semester) and a series of four family take-home lessons (Spring semester). 2. Minimal intervention control: students in this group received a 15-page alcohol education booklet titled "Young People and Alcohol-What the Ads Don't Tell You" during the fall semester of the first year and another booklet titled "The Truth About Alcohol" during the fall semester of the second year. Procedure: Baseline, 3-month, and 12-month post-intervention data were collected. Instrument: 77-item Youth Alcohol and Drug Survey Key findings see: Werch, Chudley E., Owen, Deborah M., Carlson, Joan M., DiClemente, Carlo C., Edgemon, Patty, & Moore, Michele. (2003). One-year follow-up results of the STARS for Families alcohol prevention program. Health Education Research: Theory & Practice, 18(1), 74-87. Werch, Chudley E., Carlson, Joan M., Owen, Deborah M., DiClemente, Carlo C., & Carbonari, Joseph P. (2001). Effects of a stage-based alcohol preventive intervention for inner-city youth. Journal of Drug Education, 31 (2), 123-138. Werch, Chudley E., Carlson, Joan M., Pappas, Deborah M., DiClemente, Carlo C., & Carbonari, Joseph P. (2000). Evaluation of a brief alcohol prevention program for urban school youth. American Journal of Health Behavior, 24 (2), 120-131.

Summary of Stars in a Sport Examination Setting Title of the project: Stars Time: Summer 1997 Sample: 7th-9th graders from three junior high schools in northeast Florida. Total number of participants: 178 (60 from a urban school, 74 from one suburban school, and 44 from a rural school) Demographic Characteristics: 33.1% from 7th, 32.6% from 8th, and 33.7% from 9th grade; 51.70 % Male; 74.70% white; mean age: 13.1 years; 55.1% had tried alcohol sometime in their lives, with 28.1% drinking alcohol during the last year prior to the study. Study design: a randomized experimental design with two groups: students were randomly assigned within schools to either STARS for Families Intervention or control group: 1. STARS for Families: a brief telephone consultation provided by trained nurses, and 10 prevention postcards were mailed twice weekly to parents/guardians asking them to take a few minutes to read and talk about the important key fact found one the card to help their kids stay away from alcohol. 2. Control: students in this group received no intervention, but participated in both baseline and posttest data collections. Procedure: Baseline and 6-month post-intervention data were collected at school sites. Instrument: Youth Alcohol and Drug Survey Key findings see: Werch, Chudley E., Carlson, Joan M., Pappas, Deborah M., Edgemon, Patricia, Watts, Graham, & DiClemente, Carlo C. (2000). Effects of a brief alcohol preventive intervention for youth attending school sports physical examinations. Substance Use & Misuse, 35 (3), 421- 432.

Summary of Early Stars Projects Title of the project: Early Stars Study 1 Time: 1994-1995 Sample: 6th-8th graders from an inner-city public school in Jacksonville, Florida. Total number of participants: 138 Demographic Characteristics: 60% from 6th, 20% from 7th, and 20% from 8th grade; 59 % Female; 84% African American; mean age: 12.2 years; 84% in the school free-lunch program; 25% reported a family member with an alcohol or drug problem. Study design: a randomized control trial design with two groups: students were randomly assigned to either intervention or control group: 1. STARS program: the program is founded on the McMOS prevention model based on three behavioral theories: Health Belief Model, Social Learning Theory, and Behavioral Self-Control Theory. Students in this group were provided with a two-phase preventive intervention: a brief initial health consultation and six focused weekly follow-up consultations. 2. Control: Students in this group received no intervention, but participated in the baseline and posttest data collections. Procedure: Baseline and 3-month post-intervention data were collected at school sites. Instrument: Alcohol use measures adopted from other researches

Study 2 Time: Fall 1995 Sample: 6th graders from a middle school in the inner city of Jacksonville, Florida. Total number of recruited students: 211 Recruitment rate: 85% Demographic Characteristics: 50.0% Female; 85.0% African-American; mean age: 12.08 years; 78% in free lunch program; 32.0% had an immediate family member with an alcohol or drug use problem; 65% not having any alcohol or drug education during the last year. Study design: a randomized experimental design with two groups: students were randomly assigned to either intervention or control group. 1. Stage-tailored STARS for Families: the program is founded on the McMOS prevention model based on three theories: Health Belief Model, Social Cognitive Theory, and Behavioral Self-Control Theory. Students in this group were provided with a multi-component intervention: a brief one-on-one health consultation; a physician endorsed parent/guardian letter; and up to nine physician-endorsed family-based prevention lessons. 2. Control: a 15-page alcohol education booklet titled "Young People and Alcohol-What the Ads Don't Tell You". Procedure: Baseline, 1-month, and 12-month post-intervention data were collected at the target school site. Seventy percent of pretest sample completed 1 year follow-up questionnaire. Instrument: 77-item Youth Alcohol and Drug Survey

Study 3 Time: 1994-1995 Sample: 6th-8th graders from an inner-city public school in Jacksonville, Florida. Total number of participants: 104 Demographic Characteristics: 2% from 6th, 27% from 7th, and 71% from 8th grade; 56 % Female; 88% African American; mean age: 13.8 years; 31% reported their parents were receiving welfare. Study design: a randomized control trial design with two groups: students were randomly assigned to either intervention or control group: 1. STARS program: the program is founded on the McMOS prevention model based on three behavioral theories: Health Belief Model, Social Learning Theory, and Behavioral Self-Control Theory. Students in this group were provided with a three-phase preventive intervention: self-instructional module and corresponding audiotape; health consultation; and a peer follow-up consultations. 2. Control: students in this group were given a commercial alcohol education booklet titled "Let's Learn About Alcohol: An Information & Activities Book". Procedure: Baseline and 1-month after initial intervention, and follow-up data 1-month after the peer follow-up consultation were collected. Instrument: Alcohol, cigarette, smokeless tobacco, marijuana, and cocaine use measures adopted from other researches. Note: Data file is missing.

Study 4 Sample: 6th graders from two inner city middle schools of Jacksonville, Florida. Total number of recruited students: 660 (388 from a magnet school, 272 from an inner-city neighborhood school) Recruitment rate: 87% Total number of valid participants: 650 Demographic Characteristics: 50.0% Male; 85.0% African American; mean age: 12.08 years; 78.0% in free lunch program; and 65% not having any alcohol or drug education during the last year. Study design: randomized experimental design with two groups: students were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group: 1. Cognitive-behavioral Stage-tailored STARS for Families: standardized health consultations (fall semester), and up to 10 prevention postcards mailed to parents/guardians (Spring semester). 2. Minimal intervention control: students in this group received a 15-page alcohol education booklet titled "Young People and Alcohol-What the Ads Don't Tell You" Procedure: Baseline, posttest, and 6-month follow-up data were collected. Instrument: Youth Alcohol and Drug Survey Key findings see: Werch, Chudley E., Pappas, Deborah M., Carlson, Joan M., & DiClemente, Carlo C. (1998). Short and long-term effects of a pilot prevention program to reduce alcohol consumption. Substance Use & Misuse, 33 (11), 2303-2321. Werch, Chudley E., Carlson, Joan M., Pappas, Deborah M., & DiClemente, Carlo (1996). Brief nurse consultations for preventing alcohol use among urban school youth. Journal of School Health, 66 (9), 335-338. Werch, Chudley E., Anzalone, Debra M., Brokiewicz, Lynn M., Felker, Jennifer, Carlson, Joan M., & Castellon-Vogel, Eduardo A. (1996). An intervention for preventing alcohol use among inner-city middle school students. Archives of Family Medicine, 5 (3), 146-152. Werch, Chudley E., Pappas, Deborah M., Carlson, Joan M., & DiClemente, Carlo C. (1999). Six-month outcomes of an alcohol prevention program for inner-city youth. American Journal of Health Promotion, 13 (4), 237-240.

Summary of College Tailored Social Norms (TSN) Intervention Title of the project: Tailored Social Norms Intervention Sample: First year residential university students. Total number of recruited students: 634 Recruitment rate: 88% Demographic Characteristics: 64% Female; 83% white; 41% had a family member with alcohol or drug use problem; 64% has used alcohol in the past 30 days; 49% had at least occasionally gotten drunk, and 47% had not received any alcohol or drug education during the past year. Study design: a randomized controlled trial: participants were randomly assigned to either intervention or control group. 1. Intervention: Students in this group received a series of three greeting cards providing prevention message based on social norms and a definition of binge drinking (fall semester), and a brief peer follow-up telephone survey to reinforce prevention message (Spring semester). 2. Control: students in this group received standard campus prevention program. Procedure: Baseline, 1-month, and 12-month post-intervention data were collected. About 83% of the pretest sample were tested again one month after the intervention. Instrument: 73-item College Survey collecting data on alcohol consumption and binge drinking as well as environmental, cognitive, and behavioral factors for heavy use among college students. Key findings see: Werch, Chudley E., Pappas, Deborah M., Carlson, Joan M., DiClemente, Carlo C., Chally, Pamela S., & Sinder, Jacqueline A. (2000). Results of a social norm intervention to prevent binge drinking among first year residential college students. Journal of American College Health, 49 (2), 85-92.